BCB/Brian Ramphal U17 Inter-Zone tournament: Lower Corentyne crowned NA/Canje champions

The dominant Lower Corentyne team emerged champion of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)/Brian Ramphal U17 Inter Zone tournament last Sunday with a crushing eight-wicket victory over arch rivals New Amsterdam/Canje at the Area H Ground at Rose Hall Town.
West Berbice defeated Upper Corentyne by nine wickets to gain third place at the Number 48 Ground, as the active BCB successfully hosted another finals despite the current rainy season.
At the Area H Ground, the visitors won the toss and were bowled out for a meagre 88 off 30 overs. Zadeen LaRose top scored with 24, and support was received from Avenash Persaud with 12 and Devan Wharton with 11.
Bowling for Lower Corentyne, national player Matthew Pottaya took 3 for 17 from seven overs, while Kumar Deopersaud and Afraz Budhoo each took three wickets, for 15 and 16 runs respectively.
Needing to score 89 from 50 overs to take the title, Lower Corentyne raced to 90 for 2 from 21 overs, as West Indies youth player Rampertab Ramnauth scored 29 and his younger brother Rampersaud recorded an unbeaten 31. Romesh Bharrat was also unbeaten on 10 when victory was achieved.
The wicket takers for the runner-up team were D Wharton and A Beharry with one apiece for 39 and 20 runs respectively.
At the #48 Ground, Upper Corentyne were bowled out for 95 from 31.4 overs, with only G Yacoob on 16 and Mohan Baichan on 12 reaching double figures. Bowling for West Berbice, Guyana-under 15 fast bowler Arif Khan took 2 wickets for 16, Rashad Gaffoor took 2 for 12, and Jerrel Hemerding took 2 for 18.
Gaffoor returned with the bat to complete a brilliant all-round performance and remain unbeaten on 46 when victory was attained at 96 for 1 in the 20th over. He was well supported by Tulsiram Ramcharran who was on 24 not out at the end.
BCB President Hilbert Foster described the tournament as another successful one for the board, and hailed the work of the Leslie Soloman led Competition Committee for their hard work. The BCB President also hailed the work of the junior selection committee headed by former national junior player Balram Samaroo.
The selectors were present at the matches in the tournament, and would select the Berbice U17 team based on performance in the matches. Foster noted that the BCB is currently hosting junior tournaments, with the next set being at the Under-11 and Under-13 levels during the August holidays.
BCB Competitions Chairman Leslie Solomon has disclosed that the board would be hosting numerous finals at the primary and secondary school levels during the course of the next few weeks. He also announced that the annual cricket academy would be hosted in early August at the Port Mourant Ground.
Deep gratitude has been extended to Brian Ramphal for his sponsorship of the tournament.